MAEVE I sat in the back of the cab, fingers stroking the edge of Maruska's card. Marina had called for me but didn't bother explaining why. Typical. My fingers pressed harder, and I hissed when the edge cut my flesh, but no blood came. I glanced at the driver, then my eyes flicked to the rearview mirror. Just then, my heart lurched as I caught sight of the motorbike tailing us. Twisting around, I cursed under my breath at the helmeted rider. "Step on it!" I snapped at the cabbie. He scowled. "You want cops on our asses?" It was Zhenya. I know. That obsessive prick had found me again. "Son of a bitch!" How long had this lunatic been following me? I shoved Maruska's card back into my bag and grabbed for my phone. But then the cab jerked to a violent stop, my phone clattering underneath the seat, Zhenya's bike had skidded in front of us, blocking our path. He took off his helmet, tossing it onto the seat. The cabbie got out, opening his mouth to protest, but Zhenya sla
MAEVE I placed my leg on the plush stool in front of the mirror, slowly belting the sleek black lingerie into place. Watching myself, I took in every detail … the way the soft lace hugged my curves, the sheen of my skin, the rise and fall of my chest with each breath. Fuck, I was nervous. Sliding my leg off the stool, I stepped into the slinky black dress that had been delivered along the lingerie, pulling it up to my thighs before shimmying it over my hips. The soft material caressed my body as I tugged it into place, admiring the way it clung to my figure in the mirror's reflection. I was… different. Beautiful. I always, but this… I picked the lipstick and painted my lips a deep berry red, carefully lining and filling them in. My eyes followed the brush's path, watching as color bloomed across my mouth. When I was satisfied, I leaned back, taking in the full effect – eyes smokey, cheekbones sculpted, lips a lush pout. I exhaled, watching myself in the mirror. A
MAEVE "I...uh..." I stammered, feeling heat rush to my cheeks. I definitely didn't have a good excuse for snooping around this very obvious red den of debauchery. Maruska slowly entered the room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the blindfold and belt I had been reaching for so foolishly. A smirk played across his lips. "Couldn't resist taking a peek, could you?" He purred. "I have to admit, I'm a little surprised at your… boldness." I opened and closed my mouth uselessly, at a total loss for words. My throat felt dry as a desert as Maruska prowled closer, looking very much like a predator cornering his prey. “I’m… sorry..." I stepped back reflexively. He smiled. “That hardly shows remorse. At least face the consequences..." I swallowed. A mafia—powerful just as dangerous and I might have gotten on his wrong side, and now, now he would probably kill me just like they do to all who snoop where they weren't meant to… My heart was in bad shape just from watching
MAEVE There would be no avoiding the questioning to come. Anya's face was a mask of careful neutrality, but I could see the probing assessment in her eyes as she took in my disheveled appearance, no doubt putting the pieces together. I steeled myself as I turned to her, if only to hide the shame that felt like acid coursing through my veins. "Well?" One arched brow conveyed her expectant demand for an explanation. I sighed. “You shouldn't be here this late, Anya. Why are you out at this hour? I never even gave you…” "You expect me to sleep peacefully after you ended our call like that?" She folded her arms dramatically, eyeing the spot where the car had dropped me off. "Maeve, your location was screaming danger, only to be ceremoniously deposited by some suspicious vehicle? Care to explain?” Mentally exhausted, I wasn't in any condition to fend off her tenacious questioning tonight. But I also owed Anya the truth – she cared, truly cared about my wellbeing. "It's
MAEVE I stepped out of Dynasty, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere inside. If there was one thing to know, it is that no one is ever out once they are in when it comes to mafias. It was all so with Mafias and I wonder if I was blinded when I agreed to that deal. Glancing both ways, I hurried across the street to where my car was parked. I slid into the driver's seat and shut the door, peeking up at the top-floor window of the building I'd just left. Fuck that bitch. I’d run from Portnov only to meet another much worse. I grunted. My hands trembled slightly as I pulled my phone from my pocket and began typing a message. Anya had been right – these people were dangerous and didn't care about anything but their own interests. I knew that too. To hell with being a surrogate for her monster of a husband. Not even Lucifer will accept such a deal. Fuck. "I'll be at your place in 10 minutes," I typed to Anya, then dropped the phone into t
MAEVEI woke up feeling a bit disoriented, my head banging with pain and my body twisted in a discomforting manner. I tried to force my eyes open but it felt heavy, too heavy and my nose itched to be scratched from a pungent, earthy, and musty smell that filled up the room I was in.I moved to scratch said itch but felt my hands bound together at my lap.My eyes flew open at the sudden realization.“What... where am I?” I asked no one in particular, my voice coming out weakly. My mind was assaulted by a barrage of memories from last night. The accident, the footsteps, and then the blackout.My head began to ache and fear began to cloud my mind, stringing worry alongside as I examined my position— I was positioned to lie down on a bench with a loose rope wrapped around my waist, to fasten me to the the bench. My feet were barely hanging off the bench and my arm ached from both the accident and the position they had been tied in.Whoever kept me here had not thought about the pains I wo
MAEVE "Going somewhere? Did you miss your way?" Zhenya asked with a smirk. My legs quaked, and I tried to find my balance but he suddenly dragged me roughly into the room I had left with hope of freedom. "You're hurting me Zhenya." I protested as he hauled me forcefully, his hand pressed tightly around my throat. He pulled me forward, still holding my throat, and mashed me against the wall. "Do you think you can run away from me? You never seem to learn your lesson, you foolish girl. These last events should have taught you to keep your legs in place but you never learn huh!" Zhenya lashed out, his previously calm voice now elevated into a loud bark. His eyes widened with anger as he strangled me with his hands. For a split second, I couldn't breathe. My breath hung in my lungs as I struggled to take his hands off me, but they only got tighter. "Zhenya, please." "You must have forgotten that I know you, I know you fucking bitch like the palm of my hand. You can
MAEVE I couldn't move, couldn't breathe. The metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils, making me dizzy. I stood frozen, struggling to be conscious. From the shadows, a figure emerged. My heart stopped as I recognized the imposing silhouette - Maruska, his brown fur coat unmistakable even in the dim light. For a moment, relief was all I felt. I was saved. Then reality crashed back - I'd jumped from the frying pan into the fire. I was shaking. He looked stoic even after taking a man down like it was nothing much of a big deal … it was what he is, a mafia—a killer, and yet, I was satisfied, relieved— Maruska walked further towards me, crossed over Zhenya's body which lay motionless like it was a log of wood. I flinched when he reached his hand and grabbed me by my wrist. “Come with me, now.” I didn't resist as he led me away from Zhenya's body. My whole body was shaking, and I barely knew what else was happening except that I followed his lead out of the all
MAEVE His entrance was slow at first. He held onto my head and began to thrust in and out of me like he had control over every part of me. "Yes, yes," He moaned. "I love how perfect your lips look around my cock. So so fucking perfect. I love fucking your pussy. Do you know how good you feel?" "We already did this, Maruska," I sighed, looking up at him. He nodded. "Just for a little bit. The first time was magical. Where did you learn how to do this?" I could barely respond. He kept going and pulled out suddenly before bringing me to my knees. This time, I had the advantage to bob my head forward and backward but he didn't let me finish. He lifted me off the floor with ease and tossed me into the bed before pulling me towards him. His entrance was unexpected and fast. The mix of his length stretching me plus the hint of mint and ice on my skin made it a slightly painful combination which I somehow liked. He took off the gag and grabbed me by the chin, pul
MAEVE "What are you doing, Maruska?" I asked as I turned to face him. My eyes widened when I saw the BDSM tools he had come along with. "Maruska," I whispered. "I've never done this." "There's always a first time." He replied and pulled me towards him. Picking the nipple clamp, he loosened it and began sucking my nipples till they were hard. He clamped it around my nipple and I cried out, nearly grabbing after him. But he stepped back and turned me behind to face him again. "I won't show you any mercy, Maeve. Don't think I'd stop either." I'd never imagined being tied up and restricted in this manner. Though my friends had talked about enjoying BDSM, it was new to me. It was new, exciting, and scary at the same time. Although I wasn't worried about my baby bump because Maruska was being extra careful with handling me. I had no idea how he was able to rough handle me softly but I enjoyed it. I fucking did. Maruska had tied me up, and he seemed to enjoy torturing m
Maruska Today had been a plethora of activities I didn't even want to think about. We were drawing close to getting Marina apprehended and even if Venovic hadn't given a response to the email I sent to him, I had high hopes that he was going to give a response soon enough. All I needed was patience. And yesterday, when I had gotten the strangest reply ever, I didn't know at first that it was from Venovic. He had sent a spy and made sure the spy was caught and when it dawned on me later that this was him saying yes to the deal, I was more than happy. Fucking happy. And also wary as Venovic had proven yet again how fucking smart he could be. Like c'mon, he'd send a spy who put himself in the position to be caught. I had to give him his fucking flowers. And after that had been dealt with, I felt like myself again. The tension subsided and I found myself stable enough to need Maeve. I'd been an asshole to her. I remembered the look of excitement on her face whe
MAEVE I was successful in slipping into my room without getting caught. Once I shut the door behind me, I leaned against it, wondering what I had just witnessed. Maruska was putting his hands on someone. I mean, it was quite obvious but for what reason? I could go on pretending not to be aware of what the hell was happening but right now, I wasn't sure I could do that. In fact, I wasn't sure I could do that anymore. I wanted to know what was happening because I'd been kept in the dark for too long and it wasn't fair in any fucking way. A knock on the door had me jolting out of my thoughts and making my way towards the door. I stood there and took a few deep breaths, knowing fully well that this was Maruska knocking on the door. I wondered what punishment he had for me, in case he had seen me. My fingers curled around the door knob and I pulled it open. "You're not asleep," He said and took a step into the room. I backed away from him, standing to
MAEVE Last night had been a mix of amusing and absolutely annoying because why the hell had he been a bit nice before he bit me with his words? He'd been acting strange since he returned last night and thankfully, I didn't think too much of it. I decided to believe he was having a really bad day. I was glad that he hadn't followed me to bed so I just watched a movie till I fell asleep. I woke up to my face on the screen of my phone and sunlight was pouring into my room. Squinting, I shielded my face and turned to the other side, yawning as I slipped out of my bed. I walked to the window with the intent of pulling the drapes close. I hated too much light. Alesya must have pulled the drapes open while I was out. But when I got to the window, I was stopped when I saw a familiar body moving through the pool. I squinted towards the pool, eyes widening when the swimmer stepped out of the pool. Maruska. It was illegal for anyone to look that hot and I wond
Maruska I felt her before I saw her and the urge to smell her rushed through me. I couldn't control myself. Immediately I saw her wearing that dress and looking sumptuous, all I wanted to do was touch her, inhale her heady scent. These past few days of running around and fishing for information from nearly every source ad been really shitty. Nothing seemed to please me right now and I was neck deep into work. And while I did these, I realized that somehow, I was starting to slowly obsess over her and it was scary. Fucking scary. I had immersed myself in work, hoping I would forget about her in a day or so. But it was impossible. At every waking moment, all I thought about was her; the smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and my child. I found myself wanting to know everything about her past. I thought the ones I knew were enough but it was only a scratch on the surface of the life she had experienced and I wanted to know more. I really wanted to. I was the least
MAEVE Well, today ended on a good note. Yuri drove us to the Italian restaurant and booked us a table. He had offered me just a seat, asking me to order whatever I wanted so he could leave the card with the cashier and wait in the car. It felt odd, to be honest. One, I didn't want to be alone in this exotic restaurant and two, it made no sense that he would stand outside and wait for me. Maruska wasn't here for him to do that and I wanted to have a conversation with someone. I knew Yuri wasn't the type that talked or regarded me more than Maruska's mistress, but still, I believed I could break through his ice. Well, I disagreed. I couldn't sit here alone. Not when it had a lot of people. Now that I thought about it properly, I had a little dose of social anxiety. Why couldn't I just sit without tapping my feet on the floors or playing with my fingers? I decided that I couldn't sit alone so I pushed back my seat and walked over to where Yuri stood before the coun
MARUSKA Yuri left minutes ago to be with Maeve. He was the only one whom I was sure she felt comfortable around and if I didn't want her having any suspicions, Yuri had to be there. I loved having him at meetings like these because he always had something insightful to chip in, but I could do without him for just one day, Thankfully, all members had arrived, including Cedric who was our secret informant. As soon as I walked in, they all rose to their feet and bowed in respect. Cedric left his seat and came to shake hands with me. Although I wasn't interested in the boastful display of familiarity, I still shook hands with him. There was no need for anything else as I was more interested in getting this meeting over with. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and quickly sent a text to Maeve, who I was sure would be worried about my whereabouts, not because she cared but because she was scared. She didn't reply to the text I sent to her. I didn't bother checking i
MARUSKA Things were finally coming together. Although I wasn't sure what it was going to be for Maeve and me, I was sure as hell that I wanted to bring Marina down. And I'd been threading carefully as I knew how dangerous it could be when it came to her. She was the daughter of a top politician in the country and messing with her was the last thing I wanted to do. So I was going to operate in the shadows. Yuri had sent spies after the stripper Marina employed. That night, she had successfully seduced three of my men. And it was three because she couldn't seem to get them to succumb to her temptation. Well, Omar fell for her whims but it was only because he knew what she was after. Maeve stirred beside me and I looked at her, a small smile spreading on my face. I hated that I had to move her around but it looked like she was having fun and she seemed rather relaxed. My eyes darted to her belly. It was starting to push out. A small pouch that had my-our chil